- #1
4everphysics
- 19
- 0
Hello.
I read from a calculus book (Larson) that
shape of comet's orbit is determined by its velocity in following way.
Ellipse if v < sqrt(2GM/p)
Parabola if v = sqrt(2GM/p)
Hyperbola if v > sqrt(2GM/p)
where p is the distance between one vertex and one focus of the comet's orbit.
I would like to understand how this is so.
Could you please help me? Thank you.
It must have something to do with gravitational force (GMm/r^2)
and (mv^2)/r,
but the way to approach it is not apparent to me.
Thank you.
Sincerely
I read from a calculus book (Larson) that
shape of comet's orbit is determined by its velocity in following way.
Ellipse if v < sqrt(2GM/p)
Parabola if v = sqrt(2GM/p)
Hyperbola if v > sqrt(2GM/p)
where p is the distance between one vertex and one focus of the comet's orbit.
I would like to understand how this is so.
Could you please help me? Thank you.
It must have something to do with gravitational force (GMm/r^2)
and (mv^2)/r,
but the way to approach it is not apparent to me.
Thank you.
Sincerely